CENTERVILLE – Cops say a Dennisport man was drunk when he almost caused a collision with a police cruiser last evening.

According to Barnstable Patrolman Daniel Ruth’s report, it was about 6:56 p.m. last evening – Wednesday, December 19th, 2018 – when he was traveling west though a green light on Rte. 28, when a vehicle stopped facing south at the red light on Phinney’s lane suddenly pulled right out in front of him. Patrolman Ruth reports being “forced to heavily activate [his] brakes in order to avoid a collision with the vehicle.”

There was no collision, thankfully…

… and the Patrolman conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle to investigate further.

The man was reportedly confused when he reportedly told Officer Ruth in a slurred voice, “I didn’t even see you, you must have been flying and I can turn right on red there.”

When asked, the driver reportedly admitted, “My license is expired, I haven’t had a license in a long time.” It was then the officer noticed what he described as a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath.”

The driver reportedly had trouble turning down the car’s radio, missing the knob three times before actually being able to successfully grasp it.

The driver then reportedly told the officer he had about “2 or 3 shots” of Peppermint Schnapps before he hit the road.

Officer Ruth reportedly asked the driver why he was driving without a license. The driver reportedly responded by saying, “I’ve been arrested many times for DUI but they were in Florida.”

The driver then went on to fail several field sobriety tests, including reciting the alphabet, according to the police report.

Officer Ruth then reportedly confirmed the driver was in fact operating on a revoked drivers license and that he was also on a suspended 60 sentence until 6/7/19, out of Orleans District Court.

The driver was arrested and while taking an inventory of his vehicle, officers allegedly found two open bottles of Peppermint Schnapps.

During the booking process, officers learned the suspect was being charged with his 7th Offense OUI.

Edward F. Flanagan, age 62, of Dennisport, was charged with OUI Liquor – 7th Offense, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Operating a Motor Vehicle on a Suspended License, Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle, and Failure to Yield at an Intersection.

The following HN Video highlights today’s arraignment proceedings in Barnstable District Court…